HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to take responsibility for the rubbish they get taken way from their homes.
Now that the number of fly-tipping incidents has been more than halved in three years, the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is turning it’s focus on householders.
One of the most common forms of fly-tipping is general household rubbish, which is often taken from a householder and later dumped by a ‘rouge trader’.
Ady Cole is an enforcement officer for West Oxfordshire District Council which is part of the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership. The partnership with other district councils allows enforcement officers to share intelligence.
Mr Cole said: “Many people think passing their rubbish to someone else to get rid of solves their problems. In fact, they have a legal responsibility to make sure their rubbish is disposed of properly. If their waste is later found dumped, they are liable and could end up in court.”
Cherwell District Council successful prosecuted rouge trader Mike Newman from Bicester on March 29 who was convicted and ordered to pay almost £5,000 after the resident whose rubbish he dumped helped council officers build a case against him.
Mr Cole added: “Ideally we want to catch the rouge traders rather than prosecuting householders so we’re asking anyone who gives their rubbish to someone else to dispose of, whether they pay them or not, to take down the person’s details. Asking to see their Waste Carriers Licence, getting a receipt and noting the vehicle registration number can help us track down the real culprit.”
Partnership spokesman Paul Mocroft said the fall in fly tipping was down to better education and enforcement, and a greater willingness by councils to prosecute.